Exercising releases endorphins (the happy hormone) that help you relax. Stress is one of the primary reasons for hair loss, and working out helps in reducing stress. Working out helps stimulate blood flow to the scalp and enriches the hair follicles with nutrients. It stimulates hair growth by increasing the oxygen flow to the scalp. Exercising can also decrease the production of cortisol, the main stress hormone. Cortisol can impact collagen production and the skin barrier function.
Now, lets check out the best exercises for hair growth!
Best Exercises For Hair Growth
Note: Though exercising is said to improve hair growth, it is important to note that there is no scientific evidence to prove the same.
1. Neck Exercises
Neck exercises are an effective way for healthy hair growth. Stretching your neck muscles can aid hair growth by releasing the tension and stress in the surrounding muscles. Simply doing side-to-side and front-to-back movements with your head can improve blood circulation which, in turn, boosts hair growth. Process:
Stand straight with your hands relaxed on the sides. Now, slowly bend your head forward and bring it back, extending it as much as possible. Bend your head sideways, stretching on each side for at least 10 seconds.
2. Inversion Method
The inversion method is a popular technique that makes your hair more lustrous by stimulating hair growth with an increase in blood flow. The greater the oxygen received by the cells in the scalp, the greater the chances of you having healthy locks. This inversion method technique is composed of two parts. First, you need to perform a head massage that helps to stimulate the follicles. Then, hanging upside down to increase the blood flow to the scalp. Process
Apply hair oil and massage your scalp by combing through the hair thoroughly. Use your fingers to massage your scalp in a circular motion for around 5 minutes. Lie down on your bed with your head hanging down and your neck supported by the edge of the bed. Remain in this position for 4 minutes.
3. Jogging
Cardio exercises, like jogging, allow you to sweat out the unnecessary toxins from the body. The sweat that is released during jogging opens the pores on the scalp and helps unclog hair follicles, allowing some room for hair growth. Furthermore, this exercise can help increase blood circulation to the scalp, which then promotes healthy hair growth. Try to start jogging for at least half an hour every day to get healthy hair.
4. Breathing Exercises
Breathing exercise (Kapalabhati Pranayama) (also known as shining forehead) involves a series of inhalations and exhalations. It helps in promoting hair growth, preventing hair loss, and delays premature graying of hair. This breathing exercise boosts oxygen to rejuvenate damaged hair and promotes new hair growth. Process
Sit in a comfortable position with your back straight. Take a deep breath and pull your stomach in as much as possible at the same time. Then, exhale. Keep the exhalation brief and the inhalation longer. Perform this breathing exercise 20 times.
Steph Ball-Mitchell, Certified Yoga Instructor, says, “Anulom Vilom is another great breathing practice that is associated with preventing hair loss because it reduces stress and increases blood circulation.”
5. Scalp Massage
Scalp massage is a simple yet inexpensive exercise for hair growth. This exercise improves the blood circulation in the scalp, which is essential for healthy locks (1). Scalp massage aids in hair growth by opening the pores on your scalp to provide the essential nutrients to the hair follicles (2). This effective exercise also reduces stress and offers relaxation, thereby promoting hair growth and thickness. Do this scalp massage once every week or five minutes everyday to stimulate hair growth. Process
Pick any nourishing hair oil that is rich in nutrients. Coconut oil and olive oil are some great options. Warm up the oil in a microwave for a few seconds. Part your hair down the middle. Apply the warm oil to your scalp with your fingertips. Massage your scalp with your fingers in a circular motion and distribute the oil all over the scalp. Gradually increase the intensity of the massage to improve blood flow in the scalp.
6. Head Massage
Head massage is an ancient Ayurvedic practice that involves performing rhythmic movements on acupressure points to relieve a number of issues like stress, headaches, graying of hair, and baldness. With your fingertips pointing upward, massage your scalp with slow, circular movements. “According to yogic wisdom, scalp massage can help to stimulate hair growth. Most medical and hair experts agree that hair growth comes from a healthy diet, good blood circulation, and proper nutrition. As blood flow is sent to the area through scalp massage, circulation is improved, and oxygen and nutrients are sent to the head.” says Steph Ball-Mitchell. She also adds, “There are 31 marmas in the head and scalp. These are the pressure points where cranial nerves, arteries, and blood veins intersect. The marma points help to drain and relieve pressure in the head and scalp. When they are massaged, blood circulation is increased, and hair growth is facilitated.” Furthermore, acupuncture is a very interesting way of increasing hair growth. This innovative process works by tapping the pressure points on our fingers. Massaging the base of the neck and the shoulder, either yourself or by getting someone else to do it, has also been shown to help in the regrowth of hair. You can massage your left shoulder with your right hand and vice versa. Now, it’s time to check out the best yoga poses for hair growth!
Best Yoga Poses For Hair Growth
Yoga is excellent for promoting better hair. It not only affects your body but also reduces stress, increases concentration, and leads to better blood circulation in the scalp since it involves inverted poses and backbends. Regular yoga practice is highly beneficial for making your hair lush, improving hair growth, and preventing hair fall. Yoga poses like Suryanamaskar (Sun salutation) and Tadasana (breath awareness) help to come over hair fall (3). Yoga asanas like Pavanamuktasana (wild relieving pose), Uttanasana (standing forward fold pose), Vajrasana (diamond pose), Uttanpadasana, Sarvangasana, and Balayam Yoga (rubbing nails) are claimed to help in stimulating hair growth. Steph Ball-Mitchell says, “According to ancient yogic wisdom and also several modern studies, rubbing the nails together can help with hair loss. What happens is that the hair follicles are connected to the nerve endings that are located under the nail beds. As you rub the nail beds together, these nerve endings are stimulated, which, in turn, stimulate hair growth.” While exercising can improve hair growth, there are some mistakes that you need to avoid. Check them out in the next section.
Common Mistakes While Doing Exercises
Working out excessively can cause temporary hair loss in both men and women. It can disrupt the hair growth cycle and make your follicles enter the resting phase too early. When your body is subjected to extreme stress due to heavy workouts, it can cause hair fall. According to Steph Ball-Mitchell, Certified Yoga Instructor, “Proper exercise and movement won’t cause hair loss. If a person puts themselves under tremendous stress and pressure related to exercise, the stress can cause hair loss. This is why joyful movement practices like yoga are so important for hair growth.” Excessive exercise also causes you to sweat and salty sweat to build up on your scalp, which can cause faster shedding or other damage to your hair. Also, being inconsistent with your workouts is another common mistake you should think about. Now, let’s answer a very common question asked by people.
Can Cardio Workouts Make Your Hair Grow?
Exercises should be considered as a part of a holistic beauty and hair care routine. The best exercise for hair growth is said to be cardio as these intense exercises increase the production of sebum, an oily substance that coats the hair strands and prevents your scalp and hair from drying out. Cardio is claimed to affect the production of sebum by getting rid of the toxins from your body. However, no scientific link has been found between cardio exercises and hair growth. The release of healthy sebum is said to be the best way in which exercise and sweating can contribute to better hair care. This can be obtained by a steam bath in a sauna after an intense workout session. Steam may increase the production of sebum and lead to better and longer hair. Doing half an hour of cardio two to three times a week could result in healthy hair. One good cardio exercise is the side-to-side hop exercise. Process: Does sweating help grow hair faster? Yes. Sweating helps unclog hair follicles and pores on the scalp and remove buildup, which might be stunting new hair growth. How often should I wash my hair if I exercise every day? You should not shampoo your hair more than 2-3 times a week or on alternate days. If you find your scalp too greasy or dirty, you can rinse it with water. Which mudra is best for hair growth? Prithvi mudra is considered the best for hair growth. It may also prevent graying and hair loss.
